Panaji: The ongoing debate surrounding the playing of the national anthem in theatres appears to have pained chief minister Manohar Parrikar, who suggested that several people were opposing the national anthem just to come across as liberal and intellectual.
"A few days back, I read some statement that said that while the national anthem is going on, there is no problem in remaining seated. It really hurt me," the former Union defence minister said, while speaking at a rally organized by the Sports Authority of Goa to commemorate National Unity Day.
A week earlier, the Supreme Court directed the Narendra Modi government to decide on the playing of the anthem in public places, including cinema halls. The move reignited the debate across the country on the purpose served by playing the national anthem in public spaces. The debate has dividing society with even cricketers, writers and television celebrities taking opposing stands.
Parrikar went on to reiterate his ire against the ongoing debate in the country, hinting that people were commenting on the issue only to remain in the limelight.
"Those who speak against the nation are considered to be wise, intellectual and elite. It has become fashion to speak against the country. Today, we need to awaken nationalism in the country if we want to keep the country united," Parrikar said.
Parrikar added that Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel, whose birthday is celebrated as National Unity Day, brought all the provinces of India together by using nationalism as the common factor.
"Sardar Patel made all the efforts to string all the small provinces into one nation. He used the string of patriotism and pursuasion. So we should remember that national unity comes out of patriotism," Parrikar said.
While acknowledging that Patel played a big role in uniting the country, Parrikar also gave Indira Gandhi credit for taking bold decisions.
"Indira Gandhi was also a great leader and she taught Pakistan a good lesson but even now, Pakistan is not getting smart," Parrikar said.
The chief minister, however, suggested that Patel's warnings and recommendations on Kashmir were not taken seriously by the then government.
"The issue of Kashmir remains a flash point today only because Sardar Patel's recommendations were not heeded to," Parrikar said.
"A few days back, I read some statement that said that while the national anthem is going on, there is no problem in remaining seated. It really hurt me," the former Union defence minister said, while speaking at a rally organized by the Sports Authority of Goa to commemorate National Unity Day.
A week earlier, the Supreme Court directed the Narendra Modi government to decide on the playing of the anthem in public places, including cinema halls. The move reignited the debate across the country on the purpose served by playing the national anthem in public spaces. The debate has dividing society with even cricketers, writers and television celebrities taking opposing stands.
Parrikar went on to reiterate his ire against the ongoing debate in the country, hinting that people were commenting on the issue only to remain in the limelight.
"Those who speak against the nation are considered to be wise, intellectual and elite. It has become fashion to speak against the country. Today, we need to awaken nationalism in the country if we want to keep the country united," Parrikar said.
Parrikar added that Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel, whose birthday is celebrated as National Unity Day, brought all the provinces of India together by using nationalism as the common factor.
"Sardar Patel made all the efforts to string all the small provinces into one nation. He used the string of patriotism and pursuasion. So we should remember that national unity comes out of patriotism," Parrikar said.
While acknowledging that Patel played a big role in uniting the country, Parrikar also gave Indira Gandhi credit for taking bold decisions.
"Indira Gandhi was also a great leader and she taught Pakistan a good lesson but even now, Pakistan is not getting smart," Parrikar said.
The chief minister, however, suggested that Patel's warnings and recommendations on Kashmir were not taken seriously by the then government.
"The issue of Kashmir remains a flash point today only because Sardar Patel's recommendations were not heeded to," Parrikar said.
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